Oh thank God ~ somebody finally said it out loud!  Thanks, Brad!!

Brad,

I've got five different browsers on my laptop and find myself using Google Chrome more and more. It's a speed thing. It's really neat because you can do a Google search right from the address bar. Spaces between words means a search, no spaces means a URL address.

Rich

FF has been crashing like crazy on me up until the most recent upgrade a couple of days ago. Now it only crashes if I hook up WABC Radio to listen to Imus in the am, so I just listed from IE.

Brad, A new Day and new Good Advice I have been running both for a while and have different bookmarks or favorites set up in each some work better in one site over the other.

Hi Brad...I must be so cutting edge!  I have been doing this for a couple of years now.  Can you imagine that even I knew that this could be done.

The only thing is, I've noticed the font is different on Active Rain when I use Firefox which I'm using right now.

Kate

P.S.  I must confess...my daughter told me about it!

I was wondering when you would do this post - LOL

Brad

This breaks up a little confusion I had; Thank you

Tom Braatz

Brad, I use Firefox for everything I can. MLS and my company site prefer IE; MLS won't work at all on IE. So I usually have 3-5 windows open in both browsers and click back and forth. Thanks for reassuring me that this is alright as there are a few people who think I'm going to break the computer doing this.

I'm not a techie person, but I did know this. For some reason, in some circumstances one will work better than the other. But I bet you opened a few eyes here today.

Brad - I've got both open nearly all day every day - with 8 windows open on each!  They most definitely do work simultaneously.  Interesting what you find when you visit sites using both.

I have to use IE for my mls, but when I remember I sometimes use Google Chrome otherwise.

Hi Brad-My IE is constantly knocking me off line so I've had firefox and starting using it but it keeps telling me I have to install add-ons and I have over and other again. I must be doing something wrong. Any thoughts on what that might be. Thank you. :-)

Brad -- I was one of the ones that thought it was either ...or.  Luckily, I learned awhile back that you can use both.  I use Firefox as my default and love it.  However there are a lot of Realtor sites (like the MLS) and US Government sites (like the ones that my wife needs to access) and some bank/credit union sites than will only work with IE.  It's sad but it's true.

Microsoft got the stranglehold first but, thankfully, more and more users are moving to Firefox because of it's flexibility and speed and open sourced-ness.

I have been having issues with IE and I think Vista has something to do with it.  Except for our local MLS, I use Firefox for everything else.  I also seem to have fewer problems with Active Rain when using Firefox. 

I'm bookmarking your blog. I think I might look into firefox. Thanks.

Sharon - I used to get those too, then when I updated the add-ons or plugins, the message went away.

And having just started on a MAC as I recoup from knee surgery I've even learned about Safari (well I shouldn't say have learned about both because they look so much alike I'm not sure about the differences).  But I'm like some of the others in that our MLS will only work in IE.  Pitiful really.  I've not tried google chrome but sounds like Richard really likes it.

Thanks for post Brad.

Brad, I have had them both open all day today. I just downloaded firefox yesterday so I still have more to learn about it. I've done all my AR stuff on it and it's run very smoothly. Thanks for your help.

Thanks, Brad, for helping me get near the head of the class on this one! :-)

Brad, I just changed to Firefox and did a couple of posts about how it works really well to make your text look better/different.  (like this comment for example)

Thanks for your post and clearing this up. I use both. Firefox is my default and ie for bank sites that do not support firefox.

Thanks

Tony

Brad,

I use Firefox and IE simultaneously all the time.  There are still just a few sites that won't open well in FF, so IE is still required.  But for the most part that is being remedied over time.  I have had as many as four different browsers open at a time without incident.  I think the use of multiple browsers is somewhat intimidating for some folks, and changing from the familiar (IE) to something new is like walking in water without knowing how deep it's getting -  Sometimes you just have to know where the stumps are.  ;)

Charles - you can do this in Explorer too...

But I Still Like Firefox Better....  :-)

Carol - great analogy, I went through the same thing when I installed Firefox, Chrome, and Flock.  What was I getting into???   I'm so glad I did, the stumps are still there, but I don't trip on them anymore.  :-)

Ok, thanks for saying it out loud! I always thought you could only have one or the other.

Kathy

I just started using Google Chrome. There are some bugs that need to be taken care of. I cannot even copy/paste on some pages using Chrome. Although I am a HUGE Google products fan, I am not elated yet with Chrome

Hi Brad-I thought I did that but I still get that message. It said to download them so I did but i still get them. Maybe I should install the above links you have provided. IE is very frustrating because it not only kicks me off but it freezes constantly. Thank you for your help. :-)

Great post!! Started using Firefox rcently and have not had an error message/spam/virus/freezeup/you name it yet. Rarely use IE anymore. Look forward to the continued tips!!!

Thanks-

Too true Brad but it sure isn't as handy!

Brad, I've been using FF almost exclusively for a long time now - I love it! Because I prefer it over IE, I only use IE when a site forces me to. (And that makes me mad ;)

Debi

Hi Brad,

As a square peg in a round hole. (a mac user in real estate!) i have long known that you can run Firefox alongside Safari. When I boot up my mac to be a PC I run IE with Firefox. It is very helpful because you can actually multitask to some degree. I just wish the MLS gurus would get hip and be able to run on either firefox or safari. They are really in the dark ages in my opinion. I hope when we get the statewide MLS in Calif. that some consideration is given to this issue.

I use both of them because you can't run my MLS in firefox yet!

Charles - point made!  Love the "RAIN"bow of text there my friend.... but was that necessary?  lol~  That looks like a 5 minute comment to me! haha.  Nice job!  :-)

Sue - I think more MLS's will HAVE to look at their membership needs and browser capabilities.  Supra did it, so will MLS's.....eventually! 

Mozilla Firefox is a much better browser but one promblem I cant use it on MLS.  Which is so dumb

This scribefire thingamajigger is pretty cool.  I just added it to my Firefox Browser.  I may have to tell a few folks about this one. Thanks Charles. :-)

I am using both of them right now.. at this exact moment.  I use FF as my default browser, and IE if there is a problem. 

See Brad, I told you Scribefire was coooool:)

Hi Brad!
I just added Firefox last week as a result of a blog here.  I have yet to play with it, but I will!

Brad, I am downloading Firefox as we speak.  Will take this baby out for a test drive and see what she all can do.  Take care and happy blogging!

Brad - I have been using scribefire for about a week or so now and love it. Wrote about it yesterday as well.

Anyway, my default is Firefox and use IE when I have to - yes for MLS and a few other "older" programs. I was talking to a company about Firefox and how it would be useful (getting into blogging etc) and their IT dept. is all worried about installing it - afraid of security with Firefox - What? ~Rita

I also have both Firefox and Internet Explorer.  I prefer Firefox mainly because of the No Script add-on.  I also use the add-ons; Flagfox, Fireshot, Flashblock, and Image Zoom.

The truth had to come out, the Myth needed to be exposed!  :-) 

Brad,

I've got five different browsers on my laptop and find myself using Google Chrome more and more. It's a speed thing. It's really neat because you can do a Google search right from the address bar. Spaces between words means a search, no spaces means a URL address.

Rich

Rich - it is very cool, you can do this in Firefox as well, I guess I just assumed everyone would know that, which I shouldn't.  Assume that is...lol~  Hey, maybe we need some "browser" tutorials around here, would you be willing to write a blog post about Google Chrome?  That would be awesome.  Just some tips and tricks that you like about it?  I still haven't really tested it out yet.  Thx.  :-)

you should always check your work and content in both browsers.

Double the pleasure.  Double the fun.  Is that it?  :)

Thanks for this, Brad... I have never used anything other than IE, but your post has inspired me to look into Google Chrome and Firefox.

I always forget about firefox, but every techie I've ever known always recommends it over IE - it is just habit that I go to IE.  I will try your advice, so far your advice has been right on the money every time...

I have and use 3 different browsers.  I am not sure I would say they are a Jag and a Rolls, more like a Ford Explorer, and an Audi Fox, lol.

Wow! After reading yours and Charles' threads, I see that you can do this with FF now. I was not aware that they had a plug-in to do this. Cool. Certainly will open up a whole new world of responses... 

i use google chrome for my ar stuff and is great

I love, love, love Firefox. I only use IE for my MLS, which is not compatable. I had to buy XP for my Mac and fusion but it works great. I just wish, Realestate vendors would get their acts together. Point2 just this week became browser compatiable.

Hey I want to do what Charles did so I will go check it out.

Brad, Imagine my joy when I read your post today and already knew what you were talking about LOL. I have been using both for a short while and it is great.  But I must confess I came in through the back door because of a post here regarding kompozer which can only be used with firefox, so that's how I got started, but what exactly is scribefire? and I also don't know what to do when I get the "plug ins" message. Can you help me out with that?

Brad, I use IE and Firefox too. I cannot open pdf files with firefox but I love that firefox remembers all of my previously entered info. Now I have to check out Charles Buell's blog! Thanks again for everything the Activerain team does for ME, I still have a lot to learn but I am seeing so much more traffic just following everyone's tips!

I was not aware of Firefox until Bob Stewart brought it up in a recent email to me. I didn't know you could use both at the same time and, being a creature of habit, didn't want to give up IE. I'm taking the plunge today and will check out Firefox.

I do not get the firefox thing. I use IE 7 and love it for the open windows { new tab}. I know of a ton of people who use and love Firefox but none of them could put into words or bullet points or why.

Over the years I have downloaded Firefor many times. Including about a month or so ago. Each time though I load it I stuggle to use it.

With Ie 7 it is simple. to open a new window I just hit the new tab button and go to favorites.

It is how I often respond to comments. I will open Activerain in two seperate windows. I read the comment in window one, jump to window two and make my reply. That way on long posts I do not have to scroll up and down.

I do the same thing when editing a post where I want to see what it looks like quickly.

So tell me. What is it specificaly that you like about Firefox over IE 7?

Hi Brad !

I'm definitely intrigued by your post but have never used Firefox.

Any chance you have posted a blog before on its benefits and reasons why we should use it over or in addition to IE ?

Cheers !

Sheldon

Herb - Firefox allows you to do everything you mentioned in your comment.  The world out there does use both.  The point was that you can run both browsers and even at the same time.  You should also check and see what your clients and visitors see because they are using both. 

Why is it specifically that I like about it?

• It's much faster
• It' more forgiving
• It rarely crashes or locks up like IE
• The back button returns you to previous screen, IE does not.
• If you accidentally close it or it shuts down, you're given the option to restore the previous session.
• Less problems with java and multimedia applications
• Add-ons and plugins like mentioned in the comments above make it very customizable
• You can have multiple tabs and windows open (just like IE)
• I love the right mouse click copy and paste feature on firefox
• More tools and options available for Firefox
• 40% of the visitors to my Blog use firefox
• I love that I can customize Firefox with access to the tools I use daily (see below)

There you have it, at least a few of the reasons I like FF over IE, but having your own preference is a personal thing, and it's each persons choice, that's why they make volkswagons and cadillacs.

I still use Explorer as well, but only to see what others see when they are looking at my sites.  Otherwise, I just don't have the time to wait for it to load and lockup on me. I have lost posts and comments and in some cases, hours of work because of IE.  :-(

Here's an Experiment: Open both browsers, then go to Disney.com on each and see which one loads smoother and faster. Make sure to hit enter on both browsers at the same time. This is the true taste testers challenge of browsers. 

Then do the same thing with your ActiveRain Blog.  This observation test is the most convincing and what sold me to begin with on Firefox.    :-))

Plus, try doing this with IE, thanks to Charles and others here, I have found yet another great benefit of using Firefox over IE.

Sheldon - hahaha, we must have been typing comments at the same time, that's funny.  I was answering as you were asking, how cool is that?  I was just mentioning to Herb that very same thing. 

Let me know if any of it makes sense.  :-)

.... LOL !! ... I always knew we were on a same wavelength !!

      .... excellent help with your explanation...I will do my due diligence and experiment

Cheers mate !!!

Sheldon

Brad - I just recently installed Firefox and it took me forever to figure out that our MLS wasn't broken - it just couldn't be used for the MLS. Thanks for breaking it all down.

I've used only IE for many years. A month or so ago I added Google Chrome. Both have their benefits and limitations. After reading your post I'm going to add Firefox and try it out. Thanks for the information.

I have been using IE so long I have not tried any others.  Based on the comments here I need to check my web site stats to see what others are using and see what my site looks like with other browsers.

How's everyone getting their font type change for their name? Hmm... maybe they're viewing this blog in FireFox and there's an extra feature. I'M BEHIND THE 8-BALL!!! ARRGGHHH!

Ok in all seriousness, thanks for the clarification and yes FF IS AWESOME! --James Wirth

We will not even begin to tell you in this comment the benefits of using firefox over internet explorer but in regards to using one over the other on this network. Here's the following truths since we use Firefox, Safari(mac), IE, Opera and google chrome.

________

1)Firefox will ignore the widths of tables in blog posts and instead will line up with the width of your blog header. (eg. your blog won't vary in width from page to page as you see on ie)

2)using firefox or safari for that fact, will give you the ability to see your images (the ones you stretched with the image editor in WYSIWYG in their full beauty. You may have seen some people's post and a picture that looked like it went through a trashcompactor. Taht's because the image size values were edited within Active rain. If you are going to use IE , or if taking into account that the majority of Internet users are still using IE over any other browser, than take this into account. We recommend resizing your pictures before importing them into your blog.

3)Firefox will however, not remember html values when copying a post over from another location, even within text editor/wordpad. The links will be destroyed . (eg. if you wanted the color text to remain, then copy over using IE or safari(mac) instead. Or manually edit the html #999999 codes yourself.

4)Firefox is much more compatible with HTML protocol especially when downloading files from other sites which oftentimes appear like a giant text file with hash code when you try to download it using IE or safari.

5)FIREFOX IS VERY EASY TO UPDATE!!! VERY EASY!!! did i mention it's very easy?

6)THERE IS SIMPLY NO COMPARISON BETWEEN VIEWING AN ACTIVE RAIN BLOG ON FIREFOX COMPARED TO IE. Test it sometimes. You will notice that when using IE, many blogs will appear to have Centering issues which are otherwise corrected 99% of the time on the other browsers. This is because using IE, requires you to for example left align your paragraphs when blockquoting something. The one benefit of using IE, is for posts that include HTML tables that are very wide. On firefox you will have a long horizontal scrolling bar. This is however a plus when viewing an entire blog post page(with other topics).

7)One drawback with Firefox is: if you have a superlong blog post such as this then your firefox will lock up. This also goes for entire blog post pages where there is more information than the browser can parse. It simply stops loading things on the page. When this problem arises, contact the original poster and let them know so they can cull information. This should be corrected now as Brad and Staff have implemented a 65,000 character limit on AR. (btw don't email us about our super long post, we are already in the process of dividing the topics up. Oh and if you were interested in reading all those groups then it is currently only possible (unless you have a long time to wait for it to load in ie) in safari where it loads quite fast.

8) yes it is true that much like Windows Vista, Firefox will have it's limits in regards to what you can view on the internet. Some MLS Systems will indeed have problems working within. But for those few isntances, simply change over to IE. This is as simple as clicking a button. You can have both IE and Firefox windows open at the same time without any problems.

9)loading times. Firefox and Safari are both very fast but Firefox beats them all. IE is terribly slow. You may notice that on IE, background images show up first before the content. On other browsers it's immediate. IE will lock up a lot because of the slow loading time. Firefox rarely does. When it happens on safari it can be fixed by simply clicking the refresh button again, and then clicking the back button, returning and resubmitting. Firefox is truly the best way to go here.

In conclusion. DOWNLOAD Firefox if you want to have a completely different experience here on Active Rain. Photos will appear brighter, more crisp, more professional looking; blog pages will look the way the poster intended them to look, and you will experience less issues overall. 

Seriously!

Thanks Brad for sharing this.

I use Avant and Opera. Opera is fast but incompatible with some things. Avant is essentially IE with tabs and a few other bells and whistles.

Lynx for full speed and internet searches. Use Opera if you need images. Use IE if you need activex.

Brad...Firefox works great on my Mac... unfortunately Internet Explorer is no longer supported on a Mac... (of course we still have Safari, if we must...) but Firefox works so well, that we don't need IE anymore.

Thanks for clearing this up...and for also reminding us to check out how our work "presents" to a user.    We often forget this very simple step.

I find your post funny because I'm using FireFox while IE runs my Outlook Exchange e-mail. I downloaded FireFox a few months ago when my "update" with IE made everything REALLY slow and screwy. Firefox has saved the day several times. It works MUCH faster for my computer.

LI, yes this is a huge issue. some of you may be astounded how your blog looks in other browsers. We highly recommend you doublecheck this!!!

Excellent post! As an IT person and web developer ( my boss utilizes ActiveRain and I help her maintain her blogs)  it is very important to check work in both sites - as I found to my cost one time!!

Anyway, keep up the good work eveyone on here -  this is a great site and my boss has had a couple of good leads from her blog postings.

I have both -- and I use both.  Many of my clients do not have or want FIREFOX so I do check to make sure things look okay on IE.  Thanks for the heads up.

My teens love to use Firefox and I never really knew why.  Thanks for shedding a little light on the subject.  BTW, you really should get that lisp looked at. 

20% of all internet users use Firefox and if you aren't making sure your site looks good in it you are definately missing the boat.

Brad - I started using Firefox because of the SeoBook tools that only work with Firefox. After trying it out, I've decided it works on almost all of my sites at least as well as IE.  Haven't used Chrome yet, and I'm not sure why I would need it, but I'm always open to suggestions.

dude - you are the best!  Thanks for answering my panic call and for helping!  Thanks, also, for this post!  I am off to download Firefox!

Very interesting. I know our MLS works only with IE and the Mac I wanted didn't have it so I am still trying to figure out if I can get a macbook that will work with my mls site?? I guess the answer is yes.

Good post.  Firefox has lots of benefits.

I use Safari & Firefox since I'm a Mac (person).  Some websites are disfigured on Safari, but when viewed on Firefox work fine.  From my peers still in undergrad/grad school, I hear Firefox is the browser being pushed by instructors.  

Once again another great post.  Top Producer also recommends Firefox when running Top Producer 8i.

Victor - HOLY COW!!  That comment is a post in and of itself!!  LOL!!!  So it justifies a more than just "thanks" comment in return.  haha

Only a couple corrections,

#3 - you CAN copy and paste links and html using firefox, just use the mouse "right-click" instead of the pull-down menu option to copy and paste.  Here's a sample copy and paste right from this post:

"That includes Google Chrome and Flock too.  Each browser has it's own unique settings that allows you to customize it to your liking.  There are a lot of REALTORS® in this Industry that have to use on-line MLS systems that will only work with IE."  These links should be live.  It even works with images too....

#7 - I think this one might be an isolated incident, I have never had FF lockup on any post or site no matter the size or content on that page.  It may be a setting in you have in Firefox or even a video card memory issue.  Just guessing.  I have never heard that before by other FF users.

Thanks for investing the time to leave your "Blog Post" in the comments here, you made some really great points, and I appreciate the time you invested.   :-)

Brad, In regards to #7, i can forward several emails to you of people who had the same problems. I forgot to link to the post in question. I'll do that now: here

It's not the post itself though, it's when you try to open up the entire page for where that blog post is on. (the post is just too long) but regardless it does lock you up.

Dont' try to fix it, we're already cutting it up into seperate posts (check our latest).

___

In regards to #3: i didn't say you can't copy over information, i just mentioned it won't remember the html/color values when copying over from a text editor. This may not be 100% accurate as there are many programs out there, i was referring to the most basic of programs installed on peoples computers. this is also based on a mac platform. I'll doublecheck it regardless. Scribefire is a good alternative.

I will be making a post about firefox, the one i keep talking about doing, where i will finally showcase the differences people can expect first hand here on Active Rain , and how people's blogs differentiate between platforms. it will be a wake up call to many and i suspect cause for a landslide of firefox downloads.

Thanks I have always wondered what the major difference was

Victor - I believe you, I just hadn't heard that before.  Yes, scribefire is an alternative for those who feel the need to have color in their text.  I Look forward to your post, anything you can do to help out another member is always appreciated by us and them.  Thanks.  :-)

Yes, i know its' appreciated by "you". I appreciate you for that.

edit: i was just fixing the link "here" as you wrote that. You may remember that post.

Brad - I tend to use Firefox almost exclusively because of functionality, but I was often having IE issues. But as you say there are some sites where you do not have a choice but to use IE...and sometimes they don't tell you this upfront. Our MLS is one such site. So is the Winforms site for on-line transaction docs - they need to get with the program, IMO. Some of the airline reservations sites too, as I learned last week.

I use both on AR, and they do act differently. I don't like that with Firefox that cutting and pasting from a word doc to add a post drops all the spacing and the links, but this is not a problem with IE. Maybe there is something else I need to do so this is not an issue. Maybe it's the Firefox version?

I have heard that some folks are having problems with the newest version of IE. Anyone else?

Well, now I'm going to have to download Ff and see what all the fuss is about!

Brad,

Check out a Firefox add-on for Windows called IE TAB.  I use it for websites that need IE yet I do not have to keep switching back and forth between browsers.

Okay charles if you can make a comment like that in IE I want a turorial post from you.

As a web developer I'm forced to have every browser possible. On my Mac I also run Windows XP and Vista so that I can test my work. I also use http://browsershots.org/ to check my work on every browser that exists.

I find Firefox as a much more powerful browser for a number of reasons. Stability, plugins, speed, updates, etc. Internet Explorer has been riddled with problems for a while now. Looking at the analytics for my site I can see that more and more people are making the switch to Firefox and as a web developer that makes me very happy!

If you haven't yet I strongly urge you to download Firefox and give it a try. Visit the Firefox website for more info. It's a FREE and EASY download so what are you waiting for!? (If you download it and don't like it you have permission to yell at me - just send me a message!)

I use Firefox for my primary and IE as a secondary for whatever won't work properly in FF.

74.3% of my website traffic uses IE, 18% FF, Safari 5.8. Netscape, Mozilla, and the rest make up the remainder.

On my outside blog it's 54.6% IE, 23.5% FF, 23.5% unknown, 11.3% Mozilla, 4.1% Safari, and 3.4% Netscape.

Brad, I switched to FireFox when the problems with the security of IE were challenged.  I love FF.  I'd recommend it to everyone.  When it crashes (which happens less often than in IE), my tabs come back and I don't lose everything.  I LOVE IT!

Hey thanks for the info Brad, I knew some of this info but was not doing any of it. I just download Firefox and Google Chrome. I am going to try it out over the next couple weeks and see which broweser work best for each app. I am one of those realtors that is stuck using IE for my MLS system and stuff. Look forward to seeing what comes about from this.

I will be sure to let you know what I discover.

Cheers!

I use both on AR, and they do act differently. I don't like that with Firefox that cutting and pasting from a word doc to add a post drops all the spacing and the links, but this is not a problem with IE. Maybe there is something else I need to do so this is not an issue. Maybe it's the Firefox version?

Jeff - try copy and paste using the "right click" on your mouse" instead, it's different than using the edit pull-down menu and then using the edit paste option.  It will keep spacing, color, links etc.  Try it.  Just watch out for any erroneous HTML code Word might try to slip in there.  :-) 

BTW - the link in this post is to the most recent version of FF.

David - I'll check that out, it sounds really cool if it works like you say.  Thanks.  :-)

You're right, Brad.  You can have it both ways.  However, I found that my some of my web pages can't be edited in FireFox.  The program doesn't support it.  I tend to prefer FireFox overall because it seems to load pages faster than IE.  However, I also have IE for things such as editing my web pages.  I like having the choice.

James - thanks for the confirmation that I wasn't the only one who felt that way! lol~ 

Love the browsershots idea, I'm running it now waiting for it to render some results on my AR Blog, I'm really curious now that you showed me that, what my blog looks like on ALL THOSE BROWSERS!  Holy Maceral!!  Thanks.  :-)

Funny thing you said about people who may not like FF, it's not like it can't be deleted from the computer, and I still have yet to meet that person.

I use Firefox for my primary and IE as a secondary for whatever won't work properly in FF.

74.3% of my website traffic uses IE, 18% FF, Safari 5.8. Netscape, Mozilla, and the rest make up the remainder.

On my outside blog it's 54.6% IE, 23.5% FF, 23.5% unknown, 11.3% Mozilla, 4.1% Safari, and 3.4% Netscape.

Jim - now that's knowing your stats my friend! Nice... just one question: aren't FF and Mozilla the same thing? If so, then 34.8% are using Mozilla Firefox just for the record.  If not, then your outside blog is IE Visitor Dominant! 

I think you're smart to own and use both, even if just to see what that 11.3% are seeing, making sure it's  what you want them to.  Sometimes, the smaller percentage is where all the power is.  Like Real Estate, isn't there a saying that 10% do 90% of the business?  :-))

Chris - I'm not sure about Chrome, I haven't really put it to the ActiveBrad test yet,  but I think you'll really like FF and want to use it in conjunction with your IE at times.  According to David, there's a plug-in for FF that makes it just like IE, I haven't seen it yet, but it's certainly worth checking out.  :-)  I know many social media folks that use Flock as their browser, it's just not as popular yet.

Pauline - your observation is dead on!  Hence the purpose of this post.  Do you know how many people don't have a clue or know this as common knowledge?  It is nice to have a choice and every member and reader of this blog post DESERVES that choice.  The Myth had to die.  It's time was up.

So much to know but it is important to have both applications so we can browse each site differently and maximize the best of both world.

Brad,

I think Firefox is the next generation of Mozilla but I'm not sure.

To the best of my knowledge Mozilla is not supported anymore but people apparently still use it.

I'm still hanging on to Eudora for my email.

You know how some of us hang on to old stuff just like the proverbial blue blanket.

The agent in the office next to me still uses Windows 98 and swears she won't change and I belleive she won't as long as it's still working.

James - I just got back the results of my Blog from browsershots.org, that is very cool, thanks for sharing that, the one's mine didn't come up on or that had an error, I've never heard of which is a good thing, I hope.  Thanks again.  :-)  This is a great tool for everyone in the community, you should write a post. :-)

Brad - glad you found that helpful! I think I will write a post. This is a great tool for anyone doing any type of work on the web.

Look for a post soon!

Jeff, use Safari for copying and pasting from documents. The main difference between IE and Safari when doing so is that via Safari, text will carry over and retain the font style and size as well. So if you manipulated the text within the text editor to a size larger than the default active rain text, then use IE, if you want it to look just as is then use Safari. Hope that helps.

Pauline, good point. Advanced access siteeditors, point2agent, mls programs, many of those and others alike will only work with IE, but in time that will change as a stronger browser will become the new industry standard. With Microsoft Laying off 5000 people marking the first time the company has ever done so, this would make for a great opportunity for a competitor to rise to the challenge and get rid of IE once and for all. It's just outdated and absolutely riddled with issues that one cannot begin to comprehend. 

Brad - Thanks for clarifying that.  My computer tech put in Firefox on both this computer and my new laptop but I never knew you can use both.  He told me Firefox is better.  I use Firefox on my laptop because he told me so.  I use Internet Explorer on this computer because I've been using IE for a year before he installed Firefox on this computer and it's been working so why change?   

James - I'm looking forward to it, there are some great things to be said for that site, let me know when you post it.  Would love to see what else it can do.  Thanks.

Rosalinda - your computer tech is right in my opinion. Using both is ok and I suggest it, but I still like FF better.  I would have never known until I tried it, just like anything, you have to try it and see if it's for you.  It can be scary the first time diving into the unknown and fearful you'll mess something up, but these are just Internet Browsers and can be removed and reinstalled anytime. 

Don't change unless you know why you'd want to, they're both worth checking out and comparing for that reason.  :-)

I love Firefox but am forced to use IE for banking sites because the of security features.  I have been running both for a long time but definately prefer Firefox.

Brad - here's that post I promised you - http://activerain.com/blogsview/905362/Test-Our-Your-Blog-or-Website-In-50+-Different-Browsers

Very helpful, but I think  need a course in all this.

Thanks Brad ... as always, you provide FANTASTIC info!  pippa

Brad, that was exactly what I thought! I didn't realize that it was a simple load and I still had a choice each time I turned on the computer! How awesome. Thank you for the clarification!

Later in the rain~Deb

Brad, sorry if someone already said this but there are way too many comments to read here.

one of the reasons for the myth may be that Firefox doesn't work with MLS so many of us just continue on using what we already have open due to our profession.

I am amazed at the amount of comments on this. Must be quite the hot-button issue.

Brad,

Thanks for the info.  Had no idea that you could use several different browsers at once.  I thought you had to choose.  This blog was an eyeopener.  I've been having lots of trouble lately with IE (freezing up on me and kicking me off the internet) so I'm downloading Firefox now; maybe I'll have better luck with that.

Is scribefire what you used for the color graphics?  Is it an addon or automatically available with the download of firefox? 

Lora - scribefire is a addon that you get from their site. (scribefire)  then you just press F8 and it opens a window allowing you to create custom text then copy and paste into your post or comment.  It's not automatic, you will have to download their app and plugin.  :-)

Gena - exactly why I wrote this post.  The Myth!  lol~

James - great post, congrats on the feature. 

Kent - I used to use Safari on My MACBook, but I use FF now almost exclusively.  I use Safari on my iPhone.

Pippa - thanks, I've missed you, hope all is well.

Deb - It's a simple load and choice and now I'm glad you know.  L8R In The Rain!  :-))

Some sites work better on one browser and some better on the other. Have learned to pick and choose for the sites I most often use.

I've been using both for years without any problems though you're right about the MLS compatibility issues.

That's what my husband-webdesigner is usually doing. Brad, you sound like my husband:)

I like FF because of all the custom add-ons that are available, still use Explorer for my MLS though.

I sometimes think I am crazy for having IE, FF, Chrome, Safari etc. installed but I like different browsers for different things.

HI Brad, I use FireFox as my main and IE in the background. When I was building my website a couple of years ago the hosting company suggested I use FF as it crashed less often as IE. Great post. I learned some new things and that's what we rely on you for.

Brad ~ Thanks for clearing this up for me.  My son has been encouraging me to use Firefox more often, and after reading this, I'm going to give it another try.

I love FF for uploading photos to my website, much faster than IE, and especially love the Rank Checker feature at the bottom of the browser! Still have to use IE for MLX and Top Producer which is fine. I run both simultaneously all day, every day and never have a problem.

Brad,

I use Google Chrome most of the time, although it gives me a hiccup with Yahoo Email, so I still keep IE around for that...

Thanks 4 posting.

Sean

Great info I did not know this.  I have both and did not know this.

I have not found where Firefox is not the better choice.  I use Firefox exclusively now...am I missing an advantage that IE provides over the fox???

Casey - I don't think you're missing anything.  The comments here should confirm that.  :-))

Thank you for your thoughts. Which one is the Jauguar and which one is the Rolls Royce?

Where does Safari fit into this?

Brad,

That's good news. Glad to learn that one can use IE and Mozilla together and they won't interfere with one another, as is the general belief.

Maybe I'm overdoing it, but have IE, Firefox & Chrome on my laptop--& use them for different sites.  Only reason I keep IE is because of our MLS, otherwise I'd be sorely tempted to get rid of it!

Safari would have to slow down by 30% in order to fit in!

Mary B

Dave with Listing Solutions just turned me on to Mozilla Firefox.  FF is great to use when working on my website and view my work in IE.

Hi Brad!  I have to use IE for our MLS and a few other programs that I have but, I MUCH prefer Firefox--it's much quicker.  I also tried to install the scribeFire and cannot figure out how to 'use' it once installed--not quite sure that I even GOT it installed!

Still working on it!

Hey Bray!  Am I wrong for using 3 browsers at the same time?  I use Chrome, IE, & FF.  I have all 3 open because each browser has its own cookies and history, I can view 3 different Gmail accounts at the same time.  Also, Alot of the browsers each has its strengths and weaknesses and I tend to use each browser for its specific purpose for example Chrome on videos/streams/surfin, FF Blogs, commenting and IE for mainstream sites like the gov and real estate sites, eh I am just babbling now but I thought I was the only insane person who uses more than 1 browser :D

Brad - I have to use IE for our MLS, too and use Chrome for other sites.  I'm glad to know that Firefow will work side by side.  Thanks!  I'm ready to speed things up a little!

My mls only works on IE, so I have to have it. I have designed over 30 websites over the years and firefox does display certain things different.

Johnathan

Brad, I'm so glad marti featured this.  I have never tried FireFox because I was frankly afraid that I might mess up my computer in some way.  I am going to come back and learn as much as I can from this post and then try it out!

Ill try it

I know you mentioned plug-ins but I wanted to specifically mention that FF has (more than one) IE plug-in! For a site that must be used with IE, while on FF it's one click for that tab to open as IE.

This post answered a lot of my questions.  I think I'll try them both.

link to download worked great.

Look forward to trying FOXFIRE. THANKS Brad

I have been using FF and Chrome from a week or so. FF is awesome with top producer compared to IE. I really only use IE now for MLXchange (canadian MLS system). Chrome is awsome as it obviously interfaces with goole, gmail, and any other good apps you might run.

Cheers!

I've heard that myth before and never understood it.  I've been using both IE and FF simultaneously for years.  In fact, I've got multiple windows open in each right now as I'm writing this comment.  I totally agree with your statement that a common issue with these browsers is that one will work better than the other on certain sites.  FF works better for me on certain sites and IE works better on others.

Hi Brad - it took me awhile to get with the program regarding FireFox - Jay McGillicuddy finally convinced me.  I was concerned it would mess up programs or something, because I just didn't understand it.  Now I use it all the time for most things I do, and usually have IE and FF open at the same time.  I think it's interesting how various sites look on the 2 browsers - and often wonder why there is such a difference at times. 

Ann

Ann - it really is incredible the difference between browsers.  I think Google saw that there was much to be desired in browsers and that's why they created Google Chrome.  I have tried Flock as well, and the differences really are quite compelling.  :-)

Hi Brad,

Do you know why the new response pics are not appearing in IE for some of us but are fine in Firefox?

Bob - because IE was having some issues, but our tech team is aware of it and addressing it now.  :-)

Bob, as a avid Firefox fan and user, I'm glad to see you address this issue. Seems odd that many developers, webmasters, et al seem to think only IE is important and ignore how their sites look in Firefox which is often my first experience of them. So glad others keep both browsers up together. I thought I was the only one!